Cellular network coverage using a vehicle-based data transmission extender

ABSTRACT

Apparatus, systems, and methods for improving cellular network coverage using a vehicle-based data transmission extender. One such generalized method includes establishing communication between a fixed base station of a cellular network and a first wireless device, which includes a data transmission module that is part of a first vehicle. Data is relayed between the fixed base station and a second wireless device using the first wireless device to extend geographic coverage of the cellular network to the second wireless device. The method also includes at least one of: detecting, using a signal detector, a signal emitted from the second wireless device, the signal detector being part of the first vehicle; and tracking, using a data meter, an amount of data relayed via the first wireless device between the fixed base station and the second wireless device over the cellular network, the data meter being part of the first vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/203,950, filed Nov. 29, 2018, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to wireless networks and, moreparticularly, to apparatus, systems, and methods for improving cellularnetwork coverage using a vehicle-based data transmission extender.

BACKGROUND

Existing cellular network technologies are susceptible to poor coverageand/or blockage issues, including cellular dead spots, which can presentproblems when cellular connectivity is urgently needed. Moreparticularly, there may be urgent situations (e.g., emergency situationsand important calls) that are best addressed by phone calls whentraveling in a vehicle. However, the occupants of such a vehicle may beput in danger or otherwise inconvenienced if an urgent situation ariseswhile the vehicle travels over a road with cellular dead spots, becausethe ability of the occupants to communicate with the outside world usinga mobile device may be limited or temporarily unavailable. Some cellularnetwork technologies may be more susceptible to poor coverage and/orblockage issues than others. For example, because 5G operates in awavelength more susceptible to blockage than LTE or other 4Gtechnologies, 5G requires additional and closer placed base stations toprovide the same level of service coverage. It would therefore bedesirable to extend the coverage of one or more cellular networks toremote areas where data service is not as prevalent, or to providebetter data service in high-blockage areas. Therefore, what is needed isan apparatus, system, or method that addressed on or more of theforegoing issues, and/or one or more other issues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a vehicle-based transmissionextender apparatus, according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a detailed diagrammatic view of the vehicle-based transmissionextender apparatus of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of a vehicle-based transmissionextender system including at least the vehicle-based transmissionextender apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for implementing one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a computing node forimplementing one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides apparatus, systems, and methods forimproving cellular network coverage using a vehicle-based datatransmission extender. A generalized method includes establishingcommunication between a fixed base station of a cellular network and afirst wireless device. Data is relayed between the fixed base stationand a second wireless device using the first wireless device to extendgeographic coverage of the cellular network to the second wirelessdevice. The first wireless device includes a first vehicle-based datatransmission module that is part of a first vehicle. The method alsoincludes at least one of: detecting, using a signal detector, a signalemitted from the second wireless device, the signal detector being partof the first vehicle; and tracking, using a data meter, an amount ofdata relayed via the first wireless device between the fixed basestation and the second wireless device over the cellular network, thedata meter being part of the first vehicle.

A generalized system includes a fixed base station of a cellular networkand a first wireless device including a first vehicle-based datatransmission module that is part of a first vehicle. The first wirelessdevice is adapted to: communicate with the fixed base station; and relaydata between the fixed base station and a second wireless device toextend geographic coverage of the cellular network to the secondwireless device. The system may also include the second wireless deviceand at least one of: a signal detector adapted to detect a signalemitted from the second wireless device, the signal detector being partof the first vehicle; and a data meter adapted to track an amount ofdata relayed via the first wireless device between the fixed basestation and the second wireless device over the cellular network, thedata meter being part of the first vehicle.

A generalized apparatus includes a non-transitory computer readablemedium and a plurality of instructions stored on the non-transitorycomputer readable medium and executable by one or more processors. Theplurality of instructions include instructions that, when executed,cause the one or more processors to establish communication between afixed base station of a cellular network and a first wireless device.The plurality of instructions also include instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the one or more processors to relay, using the firstwireless device, data between the fixed base station and a secondwireless device to extend geographic coverage of the cellular network tothe second wireless device. The first wireless device includes a firstvehicle-based data transmission module that is part of a first vehicle.The plurality of instructions also include at least one of: instructionsthat, when executed, cause the one or more processors to detect, using asignal detector, a signal emitted from the second wireless device, thesignal detector being part of the first vehicle; and instructions that,when executed, cause the one or more processors to track, using a datameter, an amount of data relayed via the first wireless device betweenthe fixed base station and the second wireless device over the cellularnetwork, the data meter being part of the first vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides apparatus, systems, and methods forimproving cellular network coverage (e.g., for a cellular networkservice provider) using a vehicle-based data transmission extender (oranother powered relay). The vehicle-based data transmission extender mayinclude vehicle-carried transceivers/relays that become mobile hotspotsto extend cellular network coverage to remote areas where data serviceis not as prevalent, or to provide better data service in high-blockageareas. Because 5G operates in a wavelength more susceptible to blockagethan LTE or other 4G technologies, 5G requires additional and closerplaced base stations to provide the same level of service coverage.Accordingly, in some embodiments, the vehicle-based data transmissionextender of the present system may be utilized to extend 5G cellularnetwork coverage beyond the fixed base stations of a particular serviceprovider. For example, the vehicle-based data transmission extender mayutilize vehicle-to-vehicle or vehicle-to-infrastructure communication toimprove consumers' cellular network coverage. In some instances, sincethe present system utilizes mobile vehicles, the vehicle-based datatransmission extender may be considered a mobile base station of thecellular network. Such a mobile base station (whether moving orstationary) is capable of relaying signals from another base station(e.g., fixed or mobile) to expand the coverage area of the cellularnetwork.

Example hardware may include: a tower with a cellular antenna; a vehiclewith an enabled vehicle-based data transmission extender (or anotherpowered relay); and a mobile device utilizing a cellular data service(e.g., 5G, 4G, LTE, etc.), which consumer device may be locatedproximate the vehicle. Specifically, the consumer device may beassociated with an occupant of the vehicle having the enabledvehicle-based data transmission extender. Alternatively, the consumerdevice may be associated with an occupant of another vehicle travelingnearby (e.g., in the same direction). As a result, the vehicle with theenabled vehicle-based data transmission extender becomes part of themobile backbone of a cellular network service. Example software mayinclude tracking software that tracks the amount of data flowing throughthe vehicle-based data transmission extender. In some instances, becausethe vehicle-based data transmission extender provides network providers(e.g., Verizon, AT&T, etc.) with additional range and capacity, vehicleowners and/or manufacturers may charge the network providers usage feesbased on the tracked usage of the vehicle-based data transmissionextender as part of the service providers' networks.

In some implementations, data analytics may be used to continuouslycollect information from a plurality of vehicles, at least some of whichare equipped with the enabled vehicle-based data transmission extender(or another powered relay), and at least some of which are not equippedthe enabled vehicle-based data transmission extender. More particularly,using a signal detector located in each of the vehicles, the presence orabsence of a mobile device in or around each of the plurality ofvehicles is detected (e.g., via low frequency mobile phone signals). Insome embodiments, when a mobile device is detected by the signaldetector of one of the vehicles equipped with the enabled vehicle-baseddata transmission extender, that vehicle's data transmission extender isused to extend cellular network coverage to the detected mobile device.On the other hand, in some embodiments, when a mobile device is detectedby the signal detector of one of the vehicles not equipped with theenabled vehicle-based data transmission extender, a nearby vehicle thatis equipped with the enabled vehicle-based data transmission extender isused to extend cellular network coverage to the detected mobile device.

Machine learning may be used in combination with the above-describeddata analytics to construct comprehensive profiles based on: (i)detected mobile device usage in vehicles equipped with the signaldetector; (ii) vehicles equipped with the enabled vehicle-based datatransmission extender (or another powered relay) and thus able to extendcellular network coverage to detected mobile devices; (iii) vehicles notequipped the enabled vehicle-based data transmission extender and thusunable to extend cellular network coverage to detected mobile devices;and (iv) known dead spots in the cellular network (i.e., locations orgeographic zones where the fixed base stations of a particular serviceprovider do not provide coverage). Based on these comprehensiveprofiles, trends are identified for instances where one or more of thevehicles equipped with the enabled vehicle-based data transmissionextender can constructively impart, extend, and/or add networkconnectivity when one or more mobile devices are detected. In someembodiments, the provided network connectivity temporarily adds morenetwork bandwidth in a cellular dead spot at a frequency commonly sharedbetween the one or more of the detected mobile devices and the one ormore of the enabled vehicle-based data transmission extenders. Machinelearning may be further leveraged to determine how effectivelyparticular vehicle(s) equipped with the enabled vehicle-based datatransmission extender adds network bandwidth in the cellular dead spot;based on the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of the particularvehicle(s) at adding network bandwidth, the machine learning server maybe validated or refined to select for use an appropriate vehicleequipped with the enabled vehicle-based data transmission extender fromamong the plurality of vehicles.

Referring to FIG. 1, in an embodiment, a vehicle-based data transmissionextender apparatus is generally referred to by the reference numeral 100and includes a vehicle 105, such as an automobile, and a vehicle controlunit 110 located on the vehicle 105. The vehicle 105 may include a frontportion 115 a (including a front bumper), a rear portion 115 b(including a rear bumper), a right-side portion 115 c (including a rightfront quarter panel, a right front door, a right rear door, and a rightrear quarter panel), a left-side portion 115 d (including a left frontquarter panel, a left front door, a left rear door, and a left rearquarter panel), and wheels 115 e. A data transmission module 120 isoperably coupled to, and adapted to be in communication with, thevehicle control unit 110. The data transmission module 120 is adapted tocommunicate wirelessly with, and form a part of, a cellular network 125(e.g., a 3G network, a 4G network, a 5G network, a Wi-Fi network, an adhoc network, or the like). In some embodiments, a central server 126 isadapted to communicate with the vehicle 105 via the cellular network125.

An operational equipment engine 130 is operably coupled to, and adaptedto be in communication with, the vehicle control unit 110. A sensorengine 135 is also operably coupled to, and adapted to be incommunication with, the vehicle control unit 110. The sensor engine 135is adapted to monitor various components of, for example, theoperational equipment engine 130 and/or the surrounding environment, aswill be described in further detail below. An interface engine 140 isalso operably coupled to, and adapted to be in communication with, thevehicle control unit 110. In addition to, or instead of, being operablycoupled to, and adapted to be in communication with, the vehicle controlunit 110, the data transmission module 120, the operational equipmentengine 130, the sensor engine 135, and/or the interface engine 140 maybe operably coupled to, and adapted to be in communication with, oneanother via wired or wireless communication (e.g., via an in-vehiclenetwork). In some embodiments, as in FIG. 1, the vehicle control unit110 is adapted to communicate with the data transmission module 120, theoperational equipment engine 130, the sensor engine 135, and theinterface engine 140 to at least partially control the interaction ofdata with and between the various components of the vehicle-based datatransmission extender apparatus 100.

The term “engine” is meant herein to refer to an agent, instrument, orcombination of either, or both, agents and instruments that may beassociated to serve a purpose or accomplish a task—agents andinstruments may include sensors, actuators, switches, relays, powerplants, system wiring, computers, components of computers, programmablelogic devices, microprocessors, software, software routines, softwaremodules, communication equipment, networks, network services, and/orother elements and their equivalents that contribute to the purpose ortask to be accomplished by the engine. Accordingly, some of the enginesmay be software modules or routines, while others of the engines may behardware and/or equipment elements in communication with the vehiclecontrol unit 110, the data transmission module 120, the cellular network125, and/or the central server 126.

Referring to FIG. 2, a detailed diagrammatic view of the vehicle-baseddata transmission extender apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 is illustrated. Asshown in FIG. 2, the vehicle control unit 110 includes a processor 145and a memory 150. In some embodiments, as in FIG. 2, the datatransmission module 120, which is operably coupled to, and adapted to bein communication with, the vehicle control unit 110, includes atransmitter 155 and a receiver 160. In some embodiments, one or theother of the transmitter 155 and the receiver 160 may be omittedaccording to the particular application for which the data transmissionmodule 120 is to be used. In some embodiments, the transmitter 155 andthe receiver 160 are combined into a transceiver capable of both sendingand receiving wireless signals. In any case, the transmitter 155 and thereceiver 160 are adapted to send/receive data to/from the cellularnetwork 125, as indicated by arrow(s) 165.

In some embodiments, as in FIG. 2, the operational equipment engine 130,which is operably coupled to, and adapted to be in communication with,the vehicle control unit 110, includes a plurality of devices configuredto facilitate driving of the vehicle 105. In this regard, theoperational equipment engine 130 may be designed to exchangecommunication with the vehicle control unit 110, so as to not onlyreceive instructions, but to provide information regarding the operationof the operational equipment engine 130. For example, the operationalequipment engine 130 may include a vehicle battery 170, a motor 175(e.g., electric or combustion), a drivetrain 180, a steering system 185,and a braking system 190. The vehicle battery 170 provides electricalpower to the motor 175, which motor 175 drives the wheels 115 e of thevehicle 105 via the drivetrain 180. In some embodiments, in addition toproviding power to the motor 175, the vehicle battery 170 provideselectrical power to other component(s) of the operational equipmentengine 130, the vehicle control unit 110, the data transmission module120, the sensor engine 135, the interface engine 140, or any combinationthereof.

In some embodiments, as in FIG. 2, the sensor engine 135, which isoperably coupled to, and adapted to be in communication with, thevehicle control unit 110, includes devices such as sensors, meters,detectors, or other devices configured to measure or sense a parameterrelated to an operation of the vehicle 105, as will be described infurther detail below. For example, the sensor engine 135 may include adata meter 195, a signal detector 200, a global positioning system 205,vehicle camera(s) 210, an airbag sensor 215, a braking sensor 220, anaccelerometer 225, a speedometer 230, a tachometer 235, or anycombination thereof. The sensors or other detection devices aregenerally configured to sense or detect activity, conditions, andcircumstances in an area to which the device has access. Sub-componentsof the sensor engine 135 may be deployed at any operational area wherereadings regarding the driving of the vehicle 105 may be taken. Readingsfrom the sensor engine 135 are fed back to the vehicle control unit 110.The reported data may include sensed data, or may be derived,calculated, or inferred from the sensed data. The vehicle control unit110 may send signals to the sensor engine 135 to adjust the calibrationor operating parameters of the sensor engine 135 in accordance with acontrol program in the vehicle control unit 110. The vehicle controlunit 110 is adapted to receive and process data from the sensor engine135 or from other suitable source(s), and to monitor, store (e.g., inthe memory 150), and/or otherwise process (e.g., using the processor145) the received data.

The data meter 195 is adapted to communicate with the data transmissionmodule 120 (or vice versa), as indicated by arrow 196, and to track theamount of data flowing through the transmission extender 120. Forexample, the data meter 195 may be adapted to communicate with the datatransmission module 120 (or vice versa) via near field communication(NFC), radio-frequency identification (RFID), Bluetooth, infrared,proximity inference via, for example, a global positioning system (e.g.,the global positioning system 205) or triangulation, other indirecttechnologies, and/or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, inaddition to, or instead of, the data meter 195 communicating with thedata transmission module 120 (or vice versa), the data meter 195 and thedata transmission module 120 each communicate with the vehicle controlunit 110. In some embodiments, the data meter 195 is or includessoftware stored in the memory 150 and executable by the processor 145 ofthe vehicle control unit 110 to track the amount of data flowing throughthe transmission extender 120. The signal detector 200 is adapted todetect the presence or absence of a mobile device in or around thevehicle 105 (e.g., via low frequency mobile phone signals). In someembodiments, when such a mobile device (e.g., the mobile device 250) isdetected by the signal detector 200, the data transmission module 120 isused to extend cellular network coverage to the detected mobile device.

The global positioning system 205 is adapted to track the location ofthe vehicle 105 and to communicate the location information to thevehicle control unit 110. The vehicle camera(s) 210 are adapted tomonitor the vehicle 105's surroundings and to communicate image data tothe vehicle control unit 110. The airbag sensor 215 is adapted toactivate and/or detect deployment of the vehicle 105's airbag(s) and tocommunicate the airbag deployment information to the vehicle controlunit 110. The braking sensor 220 is adapted to monitor usage of thevehicle 105's braking system 190 (e.g., an antilock braking system 190)and to communicate the braking information to the vehicle control unit110. The accelerometer 225 is adapted to monitor acceleration of thevehicle 105 and to communicate the acceleration information to thevehicle control unit 110. The accelerometer 225 may be, for example, atwo-axis accelerometer 225 or a three-axis accelerometer 225. In someembodiments, the accelerometer 225 is associated with an airbag of thevehicle 105 to trigger deployment of the airbag. The speedometer 230 isadapted to monitor speed of the vehicle 105 and to communicate the speedinformation to the vehicle control unit 110. In some embodiments, thespeedometer 230 is associated with a display unit of the vehicle 105such as, for example, a display unit of the interface engine 140, toprovide a visual indication of vehicle speed to a driver of the vehicle105. The tachometer 235 is adapted to monitor the working speed (e.g.,in revolutions-per-minute) of the vehicle 105's motor 175 and tocommunicate the angular velocity information to the vehicle control unit110. In some embodiments, the tachometer 235 is associated with adisplay unit of the vehicle 105 such as, for example, a display unit ofthe interface engine 140, to provide a visual indication of the motor175's working speed to the driver of the vehicle 105.

In some embodiments, as in FIG. 2, the interface engine 140, which isoperably coupled to, and adapted to be in communication with, thevehicle control unit 110, includes at least one input and output deviceor system that enables a user to interact with the vehicle control unit110 and the functions that the vehicle control unit 110 provides. Forexample, the interface engine 140 may include a display unit 240 and aninput/output (“I/O”) device 245. The display unit 240 may be, include,or be part of multiple display units. For example, in some embodiments,the display unit 240 may include one, or any combination, of a centraldisplay unit associated with a dash of the vehicle 105, an instrumentcluster display unit associated with an instrument cluster of thevehicle 105, and/or a heads-up display unit associated with the dash anda windshield of the vehicle 105; accordingly, as used herein thereference numeral 240 may refer to one, or any combination, of thedisplay units. The I/O device 245 may be, include, or be part of acommunication port (e.g., a USB port), a Bluetooth communicationinterface, a touch-screen display unit, soft keys associated with adash, a steering wheel, or another component of the vehicle 105, and/orsimilar components. Other examples of sub-components that may be part ofthe interface engine 140 include, but are not limited to, audiblealarms, visual alerts, tactile alerts, telecommunications equipment, andcomputer-related components, peripherals, and systems.

In some embodiments, a mobile device 250 belonging to an occupant (orpasserby) of the vehicle 105 may be coupled to, and adapted to be incommunication with, the data transmission module 120. For example, themobile device 250 may communicate wirelessly with the data transmissionmodule 120, as indicated by arrow 252. For another example, the mobiledevice 250 may communicate with the data transmission module 120 via theinterface engine 140 (e.g., the I/O device 245) and the vehicle controlunit 110. As a result, the mobile device 250 is able to receive cellularnetwork service (e.g., 5G or the like) through the data transmissionmodule 120 in situations where the mobile device 250 is beyond the rangeof a service provider's stationary base stations, as will be describedin further detail below. Moreover, as discussed above, the signaldetector 200 may be adapted to detect the presence or absence of themobile device 250 in or around the vehicle 105. In an embodiment, themobile device 250 is a handheld or otherwise portable device which iscarried onto the vehicle 105 by a user who is a driver or a passenger onthe vehicle 105. In addition, or instead, the mobile device 250 may beremovably connectable to the vehicle 105, such as by temporarilyattaching the mobile device 250 to the dash, a center console, aseatback, or another surface in the vehicle 105. In another embodiment,the mobile device 250 may be permanently installed in the vehicle 105.In some embodiments, the mobile device 250 is, includes, or is part ofone or more computing devices such as personal computers, personaldigital assistants, cellular devices, mobile telephones, wirelessdevices, handheld devices, laptops, audio devices, tablet computers,game consoles, cameras, and/or any other suitable devices. In severalembodiments, the mobile device 250 is a smartphone such as, for example,an iPhone® by Apple Inc.

Referring to FIG. 3, in an embodiment, a vehicle-based data transmissionextender system is generally referred to by the reference numeral 255and includes several components of the vehicle-based data transmissionextender apparatus 100. More particularly, the vehicle-based datatransmission extender system 255 includes a plurality of vehiclessubstantially identical to the vehicle 105 of the vehicle-based datatransmission extender apparatus 100, which vehicles are given the samereference numeral 105, except that a subscript 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or i isadded to each as a suffix. In addition, the vehicle-based datatransmission extender system 255 includes a plurality of mobile devicesidentical to the mobile device 250 of the vehicle-based datatransmission extender apparatus 100, which mobile devices are given thesame reference numeral 250, except that a subscript 1, 2, or i is addedto each as a suffix.

In some embodiments, as in FIG. 3, the vehicle-based data transmissionextender system 255 includes the vehicle 105 ₁, whose current locationis in the vicinity of the mobile device 250 ₁. For example, the mobiledevice 250 ₁ may be located in or around the vehicle 105 ₁. The datatransmission module 120 of the vehicle 105 ₁ is adapted to communicatewith a fixed base station 260 of the cellular network 125 (e.g., a 5Gnetwork), as indicated by arrow 265. Moreover, the mobile device 250 ₁is adapted to obtain access to the cellular network 125, as indicated byarrow 270, via the data transmission module 120 of the vehicle 105 ₁; atleast during such access to the cellular network 125 by the mobiledevice 250 ₁, the data meter 195 of the vehicle 105 ₁ is adapted totrack the amount of data flowing through the data transmission module120 of the vehicle 105 ₁. In some embodiments, the data transmissionmodule 120 of the vehicle 105 ₁ extends the range of the cellularnetwork 125 beyond that of the fixed base station 260 alone so that themobile device 250 ₁ is able to obtain access to the (otherwiseout-of-range) cellular network 125. In some embodiments, the datatransmission module 120 is used to extend cellular network coverage tothe mobile device 250 ₁ only in response to the detection of the mobiledevice 250 ₁ by the vehicle 105 ₁'s signal detector 200.

In some embodiments, as in FIG. 3, the vehicle-based data transmissionextender system 255 also includes the vehicles 105 ₂₋₃, which form avehicle group 275 whose current location is in the vicinity of themobile device 250 ₂. For example, the mobile device 250 ₂ may be locatedin or around one of the vehicles 105 ₂₋₃. One or more of the datatransmission modules 120 of the vehicles 105 ₂₋₃ in the vehicle group275 are adapted to communicate with the fixed base station 260 of thecellular network 125, as indicated by arrow 280. Moreover, the mobiledevice 250 ₂ is adapted to obtain access to the cellular network 125, asindicated by arrow 285, via the one or more of the data transmissionmodules 120 of the vehicles 105 ₂₋₃ in the vehicle group 275; at leastduring such access to the cellular network 125 by the mobile device 250₂, one or more of the data meters 195 of the vehicles 105 ₂₋₃ areadapted to track the amount of data flowing through the correspondingone or more of the data transmission modules 120. In addition, thevehicles 105 ₂₋₃ may be adapted to communicate with one another viatheir respective data transmission modules 120, as indicated by arrow290, so as to form an ad hoc network 295. In some embodiments, the oneor more of the data transmission modules 120 of the vehicles 105 ₂₋₃extend the range of the cellular network 125 beyond that of the fixedbase station 260 alone so that the mobile device 250 ₂ is able to obtainaccess to the (otherwise out-of-range) cellular network 125. In someembodiments, the one or more of the data transmission modules 120 of thevehicles 105 ₂₋₃ is/are used to extend cellular network coverage to themobile device 250 ₂ only in response to the detection of the mobiledevice 250 ₂ by one or more of the signal detectors 200 of the vehicles105 ₂₋₃.

In some embodiments, as in FIG. 3, the vehicle-based data transmissionextender system 255 also includes the vehicles 105 _(4-i), which form avehicle group 300 whose current location is in the vicinity of themobile device 250 ₁. For example, the mobile device 250 ₁ may be locatedin or around one of the vehicles 105 _(4-i). One or more of the datatransmission modules 120 of the vehicles 105 _(4-i) in the vehicle group300 may be adapted to communicate with one another via their respectivedata transmission modules 120, as indicated by arrow 305, so as to forman ad hoc network. In this regard, if the physical distance between thevehicle groups 275 and 300 is close enough to permit directvehicle-to-vehicle communication therebetween, the vehicles 105 _(2-i)may be adapted to communicate with one another via their respective datatransmission modules 120, so as to form the ad hoc network 295. Themobile device 250 ₁ is adapted to obtain access to the cellular network125, as indicated by arrow 310, via the one or more of the datatransmission modules 120 of the vehicles 105 _(4-i) in the vehicle group300; at least during such access to the cellular network 125 by themobile device 250 ₁, one or more of the data meters 195 of the vehicles105 _(4-i) are adapted to track the amount of data flowing through thecorresponding one or more of the data transmission modules 120. In someembodiments, the one or more of the data transmission modules 120 of thevehicles 105 _(4-i) extend the range of the cellular network 125 beyondthat of the fixed base station 260 and the one or more data transmissionmodules 120 of the vehicles 105 ₂₋₃ so that the mobile device 250 ₁ isable to obtain access to the (otherwise out-of-range) cellular network125. In some embodiments, the one or more of the data transmissionmodules 120 of the vehicles 105 _(4-i) are used to extend cellularnetwork coverage to the mobile device 250 ₁ only in response to thedetection of the mobile device 250 ₁ by one or more of the signaldetectors 200 of the vehicles 105 _(4-i).

In some embodiments, as in FIG. 3, the vehicle-based data transmissionextender system 255 also includes the central server 126, which isadapted to send and/or receive data to/from one or more of the vehicles105 _(1-i) via the cellular network 125, the ad hoc network 295, or anycombination thereof. In some embodiments, the central server 126 isadapted to receive tracking data pertaining to the amount of dataflowing through each the data transmission modules 120 of the one ormore of the vehicles 105 _(1-i); this tracking data may be used tocharge usage fees. In some embodiments, at least some of the vehicles105 _(1-i) are equipped with the data transmission module 120, and atleast some the vehicles 105 _(1-i) are not equipped the datatransmission module 120. Accordingly, the central server 126 may also beused to construct comprehensive profiles based on: (i) detected usage ofthe mobile devices 250 _(1-i) in the vehicles 105 _(1-i) using therespective signal detectors 200 of the vehicles 105 _(1-i); (ii) thevehicles 105 _(1-i) equipped with the data transmission module 120 andthus able to extend coverage of the cellular network 125 to the detectedmobile devices 250 _(1-i); (iii) the vehicles 105 _(1-i) not equippedthe data transmission module 120 and thus unable to extend coverage ofthe cellular network 125 to the detected mobile devices 250 _(1-i); and(iv) known dead spots in the cellular network 125 (i.e., locations orgeographic zones where the fixed base station 260 does not providecoverage).

Based on these comprehensive profiles, the central server 126 is capableof identifying trends for instances where one or more of the vehicles105 _(1-i) equipped with the data transmission module 120 (and thus ableto extend coverage of the cellular network 125 to the detected mobiledevices 250 _(1-i)) can constructively impart, extend, and/or addnetwork connectivity when one or more of the mobile devices 250 _(1-i)are detected. In some embodiments, the provided network connectivitytemporarily adds more network bandwidth in a cellular dead spot at afrequency commonly shared between the one or more of the detected mobiledevices mobile devices 250 _(1-i) and the one or more of the vehicles105 _(1-i) equipped with the data transmission module 120. Machinelearning may be further leveraged by the central server 126 to determinehow effectively particular vehicle(s) 105 _(1-i) equipped with the datatransmission module 120 add network bandwidth in the cellular dead spot;based on the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of the particularvehicle(s) 105 _(1-i) at adding network bandwidth, the (machinelearning) central server 126 may be validated or refined to select foruse appropriate vehicle(s) 105 _(1-i) equipped with the datatransmission module 120 from among the plurality of vehicles 105 _(1-i).

Referring to FIG. 4, a method of using the vehicle-based datatransmission extender system 255 is generally referred to by thereference numeral 315. The method 315 may be executed in response to oneor more of the mobile devices 250 _(1-i) moving out-of-range to thefixed base station 260. The method 315 includes at a step 320,establishing communication between the fixed base station 260 of thecellular network 125 and a first wireless device, the first wirelessdevice including the data transmission module 120 of one or more of thevehicles 105 _(1-i). In some embodiments, the cellular network 125 is a5G cellular network. In some embodiments, the step 320 includes:establishing communication between the fixed base station 260 of thecellular network 125 and a third wireless device; and relaying, usingthe third wireless device, data between the fixed base station 260 andthe first wireless device. In at least one such embodiment, the thirdwireless device includes the data transmission module 120 of another oneor more of the vehicles 105 _(1-i). At a step 325, a signal emitted froma second wireless device is detected using the signal detector 200 ofthe one or more of the vehicles 105 _(1-i). In some embodiments, thesecond wireless device includes the data transmission module 120 of yetanother one or more of the vehicles 105 _(1-i). In other embodiments,the second wireless device includes one or more of the mobile devices250 _(1-i) located in or around the one or more of the vehicles 105_(1-i). At a step 330, data is relayed, using the first wireless device,between the fixed base station 260 and the second wireless device toextend geographic coverage of the cellular network 125 to the secondwireless device. In some embodiments, the step 330 is executed inresponse to the step 325. In some embodiments, the step 330 includes:relaying, using the first wireless device, data between the thirdwireless device and the second wireless device. At a step 335, an amountof data relayed via the first wireless device between the fixed basestation 260 and the second wireless device over the cellular network 125is tracked using the data meter 195 of the one or more of the vehicles105 _(1-i). At a step 340, a provider of the cellular network 125 isbilled based on the amount of data tracked by the data meter 195.

In some embodiments, among other things, the operation of thevehicle-based data transmission extender system 255 and/or the executionof the method 315: improves poor coverage and/or blockage issuesotherwise experienced by customers of existing cellular networks;decreases the occurrence of cellular dead spots; provides additional andcloser placed base stations (i.e., the data transmission modules 120) toprovide improved service coverage (e.g., 5G cellular coverage); extendsthe coverage of one or more cellular networks to remote areas where dataservice is not as prevalent; and/or provides better cellular dataservice in high-blockage areas.

Referring to FIG. 5, in an embodiment, a computing node 1000 forimplementing one or more embodiments of one or more of theabove-described elements, control units (e.g., 110), apparatus (e.g.,100), systems (e.g., 255), methods (e.g., 315) and/or steps (e.g., 320,325, 330, 335, and/or 340), or any combination thereof, is depicted. Thenode 1000 includes a microprocessor 1000 a, an input device 1000 b, astorage device 1000 c, a video controller 1000 d, a system memory 1000e, a display 1000 f, and a communication device 1000 g allinterconnected by one or more buses 1000 h. In several embodiments, thestorage device 1000 c may include a floppy drive, hard drive, CD-ROM,optical drive, any other form of storage device or any combinationthereof. In several embodiments, the storage device 1000 c may include,and/or be capable of receiving, a floppy disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or anyother form of computer-readable medium that may contain executableinstructions. In several embodiments, the communication device 1000 gmay include a modem, network card, or any other device to enable thenode 1000 to communicate with other nodes. In several embodiments, anynode represents a plurality of interconnected (whether by intranet orInternet) computer systems, including without limitation, personalcomputers, mainframes, PDAs, smartphones and cell phones.

In several embodiments, one or more of the components of any of theabove-described systems include at least the node 1000 and/or componentsthereof, and/or one or more nodes that are substantially similar to thenode 1000 and/or components thereof. In several embodiments, one or moreof the above-described components of the node 1000 and/or theabove-described systems include respective pluralities of samecomponents.

In several embodiments, a computer system typically includes at leasthardware capable of executing machine readable instructions, as well asthe software for executing acts (typically machine-readableinstructions) that produce a desired result. In several embodiments, acomputer system may include hybrids of hardware and software, as well ascomputer sub-systems.

In several embodiments, hardware generally includes at leastprocessor-capable platforms, such as client-machines (also known aspersonal computers or servers), and hand-held processing devices (suchas smart phones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs),or personal computing devices (PCDs), for example). In severalembodiments, hardware may include any physical device that is capable ofstoring machine-readable instructions, such as memory or other datastorage devices. In several embodiments, other forms of hardware includehardware sub-systems, including transfer devices such as modems, modemcards, ports, and port cards, for example.

In several embodiments, software includes any machine code stored in anymemory medium, such as RAM or ROM, and machine code stored on otherdevices (such as floppy disks, flash memory, or a CD ROM, for example).In several embodiments, software may include source or object code. Inseveral embodiments, software encompasses any set of instructionscapable of being executed on a node such as, for example, on a clientmachine or server.

In several embodiments, combinations of software and hardware could alsobe used for providing enhanced functionality and performance for certainembodiments of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, softwarefunctions may be directly manufactured into a silicon chip. Accordingly,it should be understood that combinations of hardware and software arealso included within the definition of a computer system and are thusenvisioned by the present disclosure as possible equivalent structuresand equivalent methods.

In several embodiments, computer readable mediums include, for example,passive data storage, such as a random-access memory (RAM) as well assemi-permanent data storage such as a compact disk read only memory(CD-ROM). One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may beembodied in the RAM of a computer to transform a standard computer intoa new specific computing machine. In several embodiments, datastructures are defined organizations of data that may enable anembodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, data structuremay provide an organization of data, or an organization of executablecode.

In several embodiments, any networks and/or one or more portionsthereof, may be designed to work on any specific architecture. In anembodiment, one or more portions of any networks may be executed on asingle computer, local area networks, client-server networks, wide areanetworks, internets, hand-held and other portable and wireless devicesand networks.

In several embodiments, database may be any standard or proprietarydatabase software. In several embodiments, the database may have fields,records, data, and other database elements that may be associatedthrough database specific software. In several embodiments, data may bemapped. In several embodiments, mapping is the process of associatingone data entry with another data entry. In an embodiment, the datacontained in the location of a character file can be mapped to a fieldin a second table. In several embodiments, the physical location of thedatabase is not limiting, and the database may be distributed. In anembodiment, the database may exist remotely from the server, and run ona separate platform. In an embodiment, the database may be accessibleacross the Internet. In several embodiments, more than one database maybe implemented.

In several embodiments, a plurality of instructions stored on a computerreadable medium may be executed by one or more processors to cause theone or more processors to carry out or implement in whole or in part theabove-described operation of each of the above-described elements,control units (e.g., 110), apparatus (e.g., 100), systems (e.g., 255),methods (e.g., 315) and/or steps (e.g., 320, 325, 330, 335, and/or 340),or any combination thereof. In several embodiments, such a processor mayinclude one or more of the microprocessor 1000 a, any processor(s) thatare part of the components of the above-described systems, and/or anycombination thereof, and such a computer readable medium may bedistributed among one or more components of the above-described systems.In several embodiments, such a processor may execute the plurality ofinstructions in connection with a virtual computer system. In severalembodiments, such a plurality of instructions may communicate directlywith the one or more processors, and/or may interact with one or moreoperating systems, middleware, firmware, other applications, and/or anycombination thereof, to cause the one or more processors to execute theinstructions.

A method has been disclosed. The method generally includes establishingcommunication between a fixed base station of a cellular network and afirst wireless device; and relaying, using the first wireless device,data between the fixed base station and a second wireless device toextend geographic coverage of the cellular network to the secondwireless device; wherein the first wireless device includes a firstvehicle-based data transmission module that is part of a first vehicle;and wherein the method further includes at least one of: detecting,using a signal detector, a signal emitted from the second wirelessdevice, the signal detector being part of the first vehicle; andtracking, using a data meter, an amount of data relayed via the firstwireless device between the fixed base station and the second wirelessdevice over the cellular network, the data meter being part of the firstvehicle.

The foregoing method embodiment may include one or more of the followingelements, either alone or in combination with one another:

-   -   The second wireless device includes a second vehicle-based data        transmission module that is part of a second vehicle.    -   The method includes the step of detecting, using the signal        detector, the signal emitted from the second wireless device;        and at least the step of relaying, using the first wireless        device, the data between the fixed base station and the second        wireless device is executed in response to the step of        detecting, using the signal detector, the signal emitted from        the second wireless device.    -   The second wireless device includes a mobile device located in        or around the first vehicle.    -   The method includes the step of tracking, using the data meter,        the amount of data relayed via the first wireless device between        the fixed base station and the second wireless device over the        cellular network; and the method further includes billing a        provider of the cellular network based on the amount of data        tracked by the data meter.    -   The cellular network is a 5G cellular network.    -   The step of establishing communication between the fixed base        station of the cellular network and the first wireless device        includes: establishing communication between the fixed base        station of the cellular network and a third wireless device; and        relaying, using the third wireless device, data between the        fixed base station and the first wireless device; the step of        relaying, using the first wireless device, the data between the        fixed base station and the second wireless device includes:        relaying, using the first wireless device, data between the        third wireless device and the second wireless device; and the        third wireless device includes a second vehicle-based data        transmission module that is part of a second vehicle.

A system has also been disclosed. The system generally includes a fixedbase station of a cellular network; a first wireless device including afirst vehicle-based data transmission module that is part of a firstvehicle, the first wireless device being adapted to: communicate withthe fixed base station; and relay data between the fixed base stationand a second wireless device to extend geographic coverage of thecellular network to the second wireless device; the second wirelessdevice; and at least one of: a signal detector adapted to detect asignal emitted from the second wireless device, the signal detectorbeing part of the first vehicle; and a data meter adapted to track anamount of data relayed via the first wireless device between the fixedbase station and the second wireless device over the cellular network,the data meter being part of the first vehicle.

The foregoing system embodiment may include one or more of the followingelements, either alone or in combination with one another:

-   -   The second wireless device includes a second vehicle-based data        transmission module that is part of a second vehicle.    -   The system includes the signal detector; and the first wireless        device is adapted to relay the data between the fixed base        station and the second wireless device in response to the signal        detector detecting the signal emitted from the second wireless        device.    -   The second wireless device includes a mobile device located in        or around the first vehicle.    -   The system includes the data meter; and the data meter is        further adapted to bill a provider of the cellular network based        on the amount of data tracked by the data meter.    -   The cellular network is a 5G cellular network.    -   The system further includes a third wireless device adapted to        communicate with the fixed base station and to relay data        between the fixed base station and the first wireless device;        wherein the first wireless device is adapted to communicate with        the fixed base station via the third wireless device and to        relay the data between the fixed base station and the second        wireless device via the third wireless device; and wherein the        third wireless device includes a second vehicle-based data        transmission module that is part of a second vehicle.

An apparatus has also been disclosed. The apparatus generally includes anon-transitory computer readable medium; and a plurality of instructionsstored on the non-transitory computer readable medium and executable byone or more processors, the plurality of instructions including:instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors toestablish communication between a fixed base station of a cellularnetwork and a first wireless device; and instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the one or more processors to relay, using the firstwireless device, data between the fixed base station and a secondwireless device to extend geographic coverage of the cellular network tothe second wireless device; wherein the first wireless device includes afirst vehicle-based data transmission module that is part of a firstvehicle; and wherein the plurality of instructions further include atleast one of: instructions that, when executed, cause the one or moreprocessors to detect, using a signal detector, a signal emitted from thesecond wireless device, the signal detector being part of the firstvehicle; and instructions that, when executed, cause the one or moreprocessors to track, using a data meter, an amount of data relayed viathe first wireless device between the fixed base station and the secondwireless device over the cellular network, the data meter being part ofthe first vehicle.

The foregoing apparatus embodiment may include one or more of thefollowing elements, either alone or in combination with one another:

-   -   The second wireless device includes a second vehicle-based data        transmission module that is part of a second vehicle.    -   The plurality of instructions include the instructions that,        when executed, cause the one or more processors to detect, using        the signal detector, the signal emitted from the second wireless        device; and the instructions that, when executed, cause the one        or more processors to relay, using the first wireless device,        data between the fixed base station and the second wireless        device are executed in response to the instructions that, when        executed, cause the one or more processors to detect, using the        signal detector, the signal emitted from the second wireless        device.    -   The second wireless device includes a mobile device located in        or around the first vehicle.    -   The plurality of instructions include the instructions that,        when executed, cause the one or more processors to track, using        the data meter, the amount of data relayed via the first        wireless device between the fixed base station and the second        wireless device over the cellular network; the plurality of        instructions further include instructions that, when executed,        cause the one or more processors to bill a provider of the        cellular network based on the amount of data tracked by the data        meter; and the cellular network is a 5G cellular network.    -   The instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more        processors to establish communication between the fixed base        station of the cellular network and the first wireless device        include: instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more        processors to establish communication between the fixed base        station of the cellular network and a third wireless device; and        instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more        processors to relay, using the third wireless device, data        between the fixed base station and the first wireless device;        the instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more        processors to relay, using the first wireless device, the data        between the fixed base station and the second wireless device        include: instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more        processors to relay, using the first wireless device, data        between the third wireless device and the second wireless        device; and the third wireless device includes a second        vehicle-based data transmission module that is part of a second        vehicle.

It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the elements and teachings of the variousembodiments may be combined in whole or in part in some or all of theembodiments. In addition, one or more of the elements and teachings ofthe various embodiments may be omitted, at least in part, and/orcombined, at least in part, with one or more of the other elements andteachings of the various embodiments.

Any spatial references, such as, for example, “upper,” “lower,” “above,”“below,” “between,” “bottom,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “angular,”“upwards,” “downwards,” “side-to-side,” “left-to-right,”“right-to-left,” “top-to-bottom,” “bottom-to-top,” “top,” “bottom,”“bottom-up,” “top-down,” etc., are for the purpose of illustration onlyand do not limit the specific orientation or location of the structuredescribed above.

In some embodiments, while different steps, processes, and proceduresare described as appearing as distinct acts, one or more of the steps,one or more of the processes, and/or one or more of the procedures mayalso be performed in different orders, simultaneously and/orsequentially. In some embodiments, the steps, processes, and/orprocedures may be merged into one or more steps, processes and/orprocedures.

In some embodiments, one or more of the operational steps in eachembodiment may be omitted. Moreover, in some instances, some features ofthe present disclosure may be employed without a corresponding use ofthe other features. Moreover, one or more of the above-describedembodiments and/or variations may be combined in whole or in part withany one or more of the other above-described embodiments and/orvariations.

Although some embodiments have been described in detail above, theembodiments described are illustrative only and are not limiting, andthose skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many othermodifications, changes and/or substitutions are possible in theembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all suchmodifications, changes, and/or substitutions are intended to be includedwithin the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle, comprising: a data transmission modulethat: establishes communication with another data transmission modulethat is part of another vehicle, the another data transmission modulebeing in communication with a fixed base station of a cellular network;and relays data between the another data transmission module of theanother vehicle and a mobile device located in or around the vehicle toextend geographic coverage of the cellular network to the mobile device;and a data meter that tracks an amount of data relayed via the datatransmission module of the vehicle between the another data transmissionmodule of the another vehicle and the mobile device.
 2. The vehicle ofclaim 1, further comprising: a signal detector that detects a signalemitted from the mobile device.
 3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein thedata transmission module relays the data between the another datatransmission module of the another vehicle and the mobile device inresponse to the signal detector detecting the signal emitted from themobile device.
 4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the data transmissionmodule further communicates the amount of data tracked by the data meterof the vehicle to a central server.
 5. The vehicle of claim 1, whereinthe cellular network is a 5G cellular network.
 6. The vehicle of claim1, wherein the another data transmission module of the another vehicleis in communication with the fixed base station of the cellular networkvia one or more additional data transmission modules that is/are part ofone or more additional vehicles, respectively.
 7. A method, comprising:establishing, using a data transmission module that is part of avehicle, communication with another data transmission module that ispart of another vehicle, the another data transmission module being incommunication with a fixed base station of a cellular network; andrelaying, using the data transmission module of the vehicle, databetween the another data transmission module of the another vehicle anda mobile device located in or around the vehicle to extend geographiccoverage of the cellular network to the mobile device; and tracking,using a data meter that is part of the vehicle, an amount of datarelayed via the data transmission module of the vehicle between theanother data transmission module of the another vehicle and the mobiledevice.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: detecting, using asignal detector that is part of the vehicle, a signal emitted from themobile device.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the data transmissionmodule relays the data between the another data transmission module ofthe another vehicle and the mobile device in response to the signaldetector detecting the signal emitted from the mobile device.
 10. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising: communicating, using the datatransmission module of the vehicle, the amount of data tracked by thedata meter of the vehicle to a central server.
 11. The method of claim10, further comprising: billing a provider of the cellular network basedon the amount of data tracked by the data meter of the vehicle andcommunicated to the central server.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinthe cellular network is a 5G cellular network.
 13. The method of claim7, wherein the another data transmission module of the another vehicleis in communication with the fixed base station of the cellular networkvia one or more additional data transmission modules that is/are part ofone or more additional vehicles, respectively.
 14. An apparatus,comprising: a non-transitory computer readable medium; and a pluralityof instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable mediumand executable by one or more processors, wherein, when the instructionsare executed by the one or more processors, the following steps areexecuted: establishing, using a data transmission module that is part ofa vehicle, communication with another data transmission module that ispart of another vehicle, the another data transmission module being incommunication with a fixed base station of a cellular network; andrelaying, using the data transmission module of the vehicle, databetween the another data transmission module of the another vehicle anda mobile device located in or around the vehicle to extend geographiccoverage of the cellular network to the mobile device; and tracking,using a data meter that is part of the vehicle, an amount of datarelayed via the data transmission module of the vehicle between theanother data transmission module of the another vehicle and the mobiledevice.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein, when the instructionsare executed by the one or more processors, the following step is alsoexecuted: detecting, using a signal detector that is part of thevehicle, a signal emitted from the mobile device.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 15, wherein the data transmission module relays the data betweenthe another data transmission module of the another vehicle and themobile device in response to the signal detector detecting the signalemitted from the mobile device.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein,when the instructions are executed by the one or more processors, thefollowing step is also executed: communicating, using the datatransmission module of the vehicle, the amount of data tracked by thedata meter of the vehicle to a central server.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein, when the instructions are executed by the one or moreprocessors, the following step is also executed: billing a provider ofthe cellular network based on the amount of data tracked by the datameter of the vehicle and communicated to the central server.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 18, wherein the cellular network is a 5G cellularnetwork.
 20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the another datatransmission module of the another vehicle is in communication with thefixed base station of the cellular network via one or more additionaldata transmission modules that is/are part of one or more additionalvehicles, respectively.